2021 Read For Empathy Guide - Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world. Books to build empathy - for young people aged 12-16 ...
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Official book supplier
Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world.
2021 Read For Empathy Guide
Books to build empathy – for young people aged 12—16
#ReadForEmpathy
How does Graphic and
empathy work? verse novels Poetry Novels Top tips
How does empathy work?
Empathy is made up of three main elements.
Feeling
Where we resonate with
Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world. other people’s emotions
Empathy is our ability to understand and experience someone else’s feelings.
It builds stronger, kinder communities. It’s a crucial life skill that children need Acting
to learn, thrive and contribute. Where we are inspired
to help others, having
We’re not born with a fixed quantity of empathy – it’s a skill we can all learn. experienced what
Thinking
they’re feeling
Excitingly, research shows that books are a powerful tool to develop it. When Where we use reason and
young people identify with book characters, they learn to see things from imagination to work out
others’ points of view. As they read, they are building their empathy skills. how someone else feels
The 2021 Read for Empathy collection
This guide is for people living and working with 12–16 year-olds. You’ll
find twenty fantastic empathy-boosting books – chosen by an expert
panel – to help young people gain insights into other people’s feelings,
perspectives and ways of life.
If ever we needed a world with more empathy, it’s now. Please use
the books to inspire everyone to put empathy into action – in homes,
schools and communities.
The Guide is brought to you by EmpathyLab, in partnership with book
supplier Peters. We also have a Guide with books for 4–11 year-olds.
You can use these all year round, and they will be especially useful in
the run-up to Empathy Day on 10 June 2021. Please join in! Register for
updates at empathylab.uk and follow @EmpathyLabUK.
Graphic and verse novels, poetry, short stories and novels
Twenty powerful books, including novels, short stories, verse novels, poetry and a graphic novel. All chosen to help young people aged 12–16
develop real-life empathy. We have used this symbol* to indicate those that are suitable for older readers, and books with themes that may
need to be introduced with caution, such as drug abuse, suicide and sexual abuse.
Clouds Cannot Cover Us A Hurricane in my Head
Jay Hulme Matt Abbott
This poetry collection is both a cry of anguish and an Explore the uncertainties of becoming a teenager,
exploration of family, heritage and self-identity. Beautiful the confusion of emotions stirred by first love,
life-affirming poetry that makes no judgements but and a gorgeous poem recognising that a teacher
inspires us to reflect upon our dreams, accept our is also a person! A very child-centred poetry
differences and enjoy the best of what makes us human. collection that is all about understanding others.
Troika Books Bloomsbury Education
Tin Boy The Last Paper Crane
Steve Cole Kerry Drewery
Illustrator Oriol Vidal Illustrator Natsko Seki
Meet Tono, a terrified boy who dives for tin on Mizuki is worried about her troubled
the sea bed in Indonesia. His story makes us grandfather who 60 years ago lived through the
confront uncomfortable truths about how we use horrors of Hiroshima. Plagued by guilt about a
the earth’s resources and how children across girl he had hoped to save, he relives the trauma.
the world are exploited to feed people’s greedy A heartfelt, ultimately hopeful novel which helps
desires. A brilliant, highly unusual read. us understand the feelings of those affected
by the nuclear bomb in the deep way that only
Barrington Stoke
fiction can.
‘Empathy engenders change. If we cannot put Hot Key Books
ourselves in others’ shoes, we lead narrower lives.’
Lucy Popescu, Editor
Graphic and verse novels, poetry, short stories and novels
I Was Born for This* Eight Pieces of Silva*
Alice Oseman Patrice Lawrence
Jimmy is finding that a life of fame in a A disturbing mystery set on a housing estate.
teenage boy band is fraught with anxiety. Vivid characterisation is achieved through
His voice alternates with that of Angel, a the voices of dual narrators. Becks is a
lovely, funny Muslim girl obsessed with lesbian teenager and the outspoken sister in
the band. Their lives collide as everything a blended family, left to fend for herself by
changes. Great book for exploring deep older sister Silva. Suspense builds as Becks
emotions. uncovers Silva’s obsession with a boy, and
HarperCollins her vulnerability.
Hodder Children’s Books
Gloves Off* The Undefeated
Louisa Reid Kwame Alexander & Kadir Nelson
This verse novel explores body image, A dramatic, heart-stopping poem presented
self-confidence and bullying that explodes as a picture book – about black lives blighted
into brutal violence. Lily and her mother by prejudice and yet undefeated. Beautiful
Bernadette are victims of an unforgiving illustrations add even more emotional depth.
society. Experiencing life in their shoes An exceptional book for our times, and in the
may just make us think before we rush to context of Black Lives Matter.
judge others. Andersen Press
Guppy Books
‘Fiction gives us empathy: it puts us inside the minds of other people,
gives us the gift of seeing the world through their eyes.’
Neil Gaiman, Author
Graphic and verse novels, poetry, short stories and novels
The Gone Book* And the Stars Were Keep an
Helena Close Burning Brightly* eye on
empathylab.uk
Skateboarder Matt’s Gone Book is a Danielle Jawando for extra
record of life after his mum left. We Nathan is 15, and his brother resources
feel viscerally the rawness of life in the Al has just committed suicide.
left-behind family, and the chaos in Agonisingly, he and friend Megan
three boys’ lives. Raw, funny, violent, try to find out why. Written
incredibly real. with such empathy that we too
Little Island Books experience the fury, guilt and grief
of those left behind. Ultimately a
celebration of life.
Simon & Schuster
On the Come Up* The Missing
Angie Thomas Michael Rosen
16-year-old Bri has ambitions of being The story of Michael Rosen’s search to discover
a great rapper. We feel the pressures the fate of his great uncles, ‘the missing Rosens’.
on her and will her on – to fight for An account of the brutality that can happen when
her dream and be true to herself. empathy is lost, and the plight of a family caught up
Powerful insights into the obstacles of in terrible Holocaust experiences. Also read Michael’s
poverty and prejudice many young poetry collection On the Move, which reflects on his
black people have to overcome. family and others forced to flee their homeland.
Walker Books Walker Books
‘That’s the beauty of empathy – it has a great
power to change every situation for the better.’
Zanib Mian, Author
Graphic and verse novels, poetry, short stories and novels
Scavengers Boy, Everywhere
Darren Simpson A. M. Dassu
Landfill lives as a scavenger and 13-year-old Sami has a privileged, peaceful
longs to venture Outside. At the heart life in Damascus, full of football and computer
of this strange world is the need for games. But in a flash all this is gone, and his
connection and hope. A shocking, family have to flee Syria. We have visceral
poignant, unforgettable blast of a read, insights into the terror experienced by
about breaking down walls and facing refugees and asylum seekers, and are moved
fears head on. to tears by the way Sami and his family are
Usborne
always trying to help others.
Old Barn Books
When Stars Are Scattered Clap When You Land*
Victoria Jamieson Elizabeth Acevedo
& Omar Mohamed A fine verse novel in which we experience the very
A beautiful, empathetic graphic novel different perspectives of two sisters – Camino in the
about Omar, a Somali boy separated Dominican Republic and Yahaira in New York. Until
from his mother, stranded for years in their father is killed in a plane crash they don’t know
a Kenyan refugee camp and struggling of each other’s existence. Through their eyes, we
to care for his younger brother. We get confront uncomfortable economic and gender power
right inside his head, living through his inequalities. Ending with love and understanding, this
ambitions and frustrations as he yearns wonderful book will stay with you for a long time.
to be educated and leave the camp. In Hot Key Books
the moving end pages, we discover it’s
all based on a true story, and that the
brothers are thriving in America. ‘Empathy is a quality of character
Faber that can change the world.’
Barack Obama
Graphic and verse novels, poetry, short stories and novels
Run, Rebel* A House Without Walls Keep an
eye on
Manjeet Mann Elizabeth Laird empathylab.uk
Amber fears her dad and worries Safiya and her family have to for extra
about her mum. We share the anger escape war-torn Syria and seek resources
and the secret dreams of a girl living in refuge with family in Jordan. It
an oppressive and violent household. isn’t easy, but the family gradually
Amber’s resilience and determination to rebuild their lives. Safiya is a vivid
lead a better life offer ultimate hope in character who shows us that even
this powerful verse novel. in extreme situations people have
Penguin Books resilience, dreams and dignity.
Macmillan Children’s Books
Look Both Ways Chinglish*
Jason Reynolds Sue Cheung
What happens after the Teenager Jo Kwan lives in a flat above a Chinese takeaway.
school bell sounds? In these She dreams big but life is difficult as she struggles with
ten short stories (one per depression, a violent father and bullying classmates. This
street), we explore the feelings beautifully written book is an emotional read, offering
and motivations of expertly authentic insight into the life of a vulnerable girl.
crafted characters on their
walk home. Helps give young Andersen Press
people insight into the lives of
those experiencing challenging
situations, such as financial ‘When we read about a character from a
struggles or parental illness. different culture or gender or ability than our
Knights Of own, we learn the skill of perspective-taking, and
understand how our lives are all interconnected.’
Muhammad Khan, Author
Five top tips
Put empathy into action Research shows that empathy plays a big Share diverse books Challenge young
role in our desire to make the world a better place. Seek out books with people to read a book that jolts them into
themes that inspire young people to become empathy activists. understanding lives very different from their
own, such as stories set in other countries or
Talk about characters Instead of discussing what might happen with characters of different races, religions
next, focus on the characters and their feelings. What are they afraid
and experiences.
of? What might they do next? Which was most interesting? This builds
understanding of other people. Build human connections Sharing stories connects us to each
other in new ways. Read the books yourself as a springboard for deep
Listen well Try to listen deeply, with 100% attention, as young people conversations to help you better understand a young person.
talk about their experience of a book.
EMPATHY DAY 10 JUNE 2021 – change your perspective, walk in someone else’s shoes
• Countdown Week starts 3 June, with a special Family Weekend on 5–6 June
• Look out for the free Family Activity Pack – fun, empathy-building activities to do together
• Empathy Day Live – superb online empathy festival, led by authors and illustrators
Using picture books creatively Here’s how you can join in
Refugees Inter-generational
relationships READ CONNECT ACT
Use books to deepen your Go on an Empathy Walk around Put empathy into action. Make an
The Suitcase Tibble and Grandpa understanding of others – find and your community. Share what you’ve Empathy Resolution poster and put it
start an empathy-boosting book experienced in the window
Chris Wendy Meddour &
Naylor-Ballesteros Daniel Egnéus For great ideas, use Practise listening 100%. Use Teachers, librarians, community
empathylab.uk/RFE our Listening Switch exercise leaders: find out more about building
bit.ly/ListeningSwitch empathy into your home and work –
come on our training, use our toolkits
Check out what is Link up – share Help drive a
Boy, Everywhere The Last happening for your favourite new empathy
A. M. Dassu Paper Crane Empathy Day at empathy reads using movement. Talk
Kerry Drewery your local library #ReadForEmpathy to everyone about
or borrow an why it matters
empathy-boosting @EmpathyLabUK
book
Picture books work for all age groups, and have an
important empathy-building role. We’ve paired two books
from this collection with picture books exploring similar
themes. You can find more wonderful picture books in our
Go to empathylab.uk @EmpathyLabUK to find out more.
Read for Empathy Guide for children aged 4–11.
Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world. Empathy is a beacon of hope. Join our 2021 programme EmpathyLab offers training and Empathy Day toolkits for schools, libraries and early years providers. These help you build young people’s empathy, literacy and social activism. Find out more at empathylab.uk Training enquiries to laura@empathylab.uk How to order the books in this Guide To order the Read for Empathy book collection and explore how you can develop empathy through the power of books, please visit the Peters website at peters.co.uk/empathy2021. • The Read for Empathy Secondary collection is available with 26% off and free delivery • If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact Peters on 0121 666 6646 or email empathy@peters.co.uk. Thank you to everyone who has helped with this Guide • Selection Panel: Fozia Aksar, Jon Biddle, Richard Charlesworth, Jenny Ford, Subnum Hariff-Khan, Paul Harris, Nicolette Jones, Miranda McKearney, Sarah Mears, Anna Nolan, Sarah Smith, Simon Smith, Sonia Thompson, Dawn Woods • Our partners at Peters and the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education • Publicity: FMCM, Fritha Lindqvist, Jo Reid • Leaflet editing: Talya Baker • Read For Empathy illustrator: Marianne Ferrer • Print: Penguin Random House Official book supplier
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